[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 12, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 73988]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-29935]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XC136


Marine Mammals; File No. 17152

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; issuance of permit.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that a permit has been issued to PRBO 
Conservation Science, 3820 Cypress Drive, 11, Petaluma, CA 
94954 (Responsible Party: Russell Bradley) to conduct research on 
pinnipeds in California.

ADDRESSES: The permit and related documents are available for review 
upon written request or by appointment in the following offices:
    Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected Resources, 
NMFS, 1315 East-West Highway, Room 13705, Silver Spring, MD 20910; 
phone (301) 427-8401; fax (301) 713-0376; and
    Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long 
Beach, CA 90802-4213; phone (562) 980-4001; fax (562) 980-4018.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Sloan or Tammy Adams, (301) 427-
8401.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On August 13, 2012, notice was published in 
the Federal Register (77 FR 48130) that a request for a permit to 
conduct research on pinnipeds had been submitted by the above-named 
applicant. The requested permit has been issued under the authority of 
the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as amended (16 U.S.C. 1361 et 
seq.), and the regulations governing the taking and importing of marine 
mammals (50 CFR part 216).
    The permit holder is authorized to monitor population trends, 
health, and ecology of pinnipeds in California over a five-year period. 
To accomplish this, researchers are authorized to capture, sedate, 
sample, mark, instrument, photo-identify and incidentally harass harbor 
seals (Phoca vitulina richardii). Ten mortalities of harbor seals over 
the duration of the permit are authorized. Researchers are authorized 
to capture, mark, weigh, and sample (swabs and blood) northern elephant 
seals (Mirounga angustirostris); and incidentally harass elephant seals 
during captures and ground monitoring/photo-identification. Researchers 
are authorized to harass California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) 
and northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) during ground surveys and 
photo-identification.
    In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), a final determination has been made that the 
activity proposed is categorically excluded from the requirement to 
prepare an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement.

    Dated: December 7, 2012.
P. Michael Payne,
Chief, Permits and Conservation Division, Office of Protected 
Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-29935 Filed 12-11-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P